The following is a call for nominations for the 2018 National Medal of Science. Nominations are due April 16.

By France A. Córdova, Director, National Science Foundation

Dear Colleague:

One of the most important and gratifying aspects of participating in the scientific community is the nomination of colleagues for honorary awards in celebration of their exceptional contributions to one of our fields. I am sending this email today to urge you to recognize one of your peers by submitting a nomination for the 2018 National Medal of Science.

This premier award for American scientists and engineers — considered by some as the US equivalent of the Nobel Prize — was established by the 86th Congress in 1959. It is the highest recognition our Nation can bestow for outstanding cumulative contributions to knowledge or sustained, impactful work in the fields of engineering, chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics, and behavioral and social sciences. Conferred by the President of the United States during a ceremony at the White House, the Medal has been awarded to approximately 500 pioneering individuals. The National Medal of Science program is administered by the National Science Foundation (NSF) in conjunction with the Executive Office of the President.

Please nominate colleagues and peers who have extraordinarily advanced the scientific enterprise for this prestigious honor. Nominations and three letters of support must be submitted to NSF by April 16, 2018. If you have any questions, please contact the Program Manager for the National Medal of Science at nms@nsf.gov or by phone at 703-292-8040. For more information, please visit the National Medal of Science website at: http://www.nsf.gov/od/nms/medal.jsp.